The Adani Group has completed the purchase of 23.5 per cent stake in Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) from two South African entities, marking the first step towards acquiring a majority control in the country’s second-busiest airport. Adani Enterprises reportedly conveyed that its airports division had acquired 13.5 per cent stake of Bidvest and 10 per cent stake of Airport Company of South Africa, for a consideration of Rs 1,685 crore. The deal marks a culmination of Adani Group’s two-year quest to acquire a stake and gain control of the Mumbai airport. It also marks the exit of foreign investors from the airport. The group has already taken over six Airport Authority of India (AAI) airports under the privatisation exercise.
Last August, it had signed an agreement with GVK Group to acquire its 50.5 per cent stake in Mumbai airport. The deal also included acquisition of 23.5 per cent stake held by the two South African companies. As a part of the deal, Adani Group will take over Rs 2,500 crore of debt owed by GVK Airport Developers, the holding company of MIAL. Adani will get controlling stake in MIAL upon conversion of the debt into equity. Last month, the AAI had granted its nod to Adani Group for acquiring GVK Group’s 50.5 per cent stake in MIAL. A few other government approvals are pending.